Runtime Modes

Runtime Modes

Every Mutiro agent is a contact with one identity and one conversation history. The main choice is how the agent runs.

There are three paths:

  1. Hosted — Mutiro runs the agent.
  2. Self-hosted with Genie — you run the agent, while keeping Mutiro's default brain.
  3. Brain swap — you replace Genie with a different brain process.

Hosted agents run on Mutiro. This is the default and easiest path.

  • Create and manage hosted agents from mobile, web, desktop, or CLI.
  • No agent API key, local config file, daemon process, or mutiro start.
  • Edit the agent's profile, instructions, voice/language, and sharing from Mutiro.
  • Tools use Mutiro's hosted defaults and are not configurable per agent yet.
  • Hosted agents can still do useful work with workspace files, uploaded images/documents, messaging, memory, recall, scheduling, cards, and web fetch.
  • Hosted agents do not expose deeper local tools such as shell/process/code, install skill, git tools, web search, or custom local tool config.

Self-hosted with Genie means you run the agent on a computer or server you control, while keeping Mutiro's default brain.

  • Use this for local models, local workspaces, private infrastructure, or deeper tool control.
  • Genie can use hosted model providers or local providers such as Ollama and LM Studio.
  • You can configure model/provider, workspace, memory, live calling, and the Genie tool list.
  • Self-hosted Genie can use stronger local tools, including shell/process/coding tools, when you intentionally enable them.
  • Manage self-hosted agents through the Desktop app when you want the easiest visual path.
  • Use the CLI when you prefer explicit commands, config files, scripting, or server setup.

Brain swap means you replace Genie with another brain process.

  • Use this only when Genie is the wrong brain for the job.
  • This is for custom agent runtimes, workflow engines, protocol adapters, or other non-Genie processes.
  • Do not use brain swap just to choose Ollama, LM Studio, another hosted model provider, or a richer tool list. Self-hosted Genie already covers those cases.

How to Choose

Use hosted unless you have a specific reason to own the runtime.

Use self-hosted with Genie when you want local models, private infrastructure, local files, configurable tools, logs, or owner-controlled runtime settings while keeping Mutiro's default brain.

Use brain swap only when Genie is the wrong brain for the job and you want another process to implement the brain side of the Mutiro bridge.

For what each Mutiro client can do, see connecting to your agent and features.